A teenager who battered a 70- year-old man to death during an argument over a cigarette has been ordered to be detained at the pleasure of the Secretary of State.
Downpatrick Crown Court heard that Colin Boles (18) had taken so much drink and drugs before attacking Russell McMahon that it would have either killed any person or left them in a coma.
Boles,Whitehill Ave, Bangor, Co Down, who was 17 when he attacked the pensioner at Castle Park in the seaside town on July 25th, 2001, was told yesterday he would serve at least 12 years "to satisfy the requirements of retribution and deterrence" before being considered for release.
The Co Down court, sitting at Belfast Laganside, heard that although Boles initially refused to answer police questions, he later produced a statement in which he claimed he lost his head after Mr McMahon pushed him away after refusing to give him a cigarette.
"I lost my head and saw red - blanked out and lost control of myself" after Mr McMahon allegedly punched him, he said.